Talmudic Reference to Jesus’ Trial

[If, after the condemned man is returned to the courthouse, the judges] find [a reason to] acquit him, they [acquit him and] release him [immediately]. But if [they do] not [find a reason to acquit him], he goes out to be stoned. And a crier goes out before him [and publicly proclaims]: So-and-so, son of so-and-so, is going out to be stoned because he committed such and such a transgression. And so-and-so and so-and-so are his witnesses. Anyone who knows [of a reason to] acquit him should come [forward] and teach [it] on his behalf.

[ . . . ] [The mishnah teaches that] a crier goes out before [the condemned man. This indicates that it is only] before him, [i.e., while he is being led to his execution, that] yes, [the crier goes out, but] from the outset, [before the accused is convicted, he does] not [go out. The gemara raises a difficulty:] But isn’t it taught [in a baraita]: On Passover eve they hung [the corpse of] Jesus the Nazarene [after they killed him by way of stoning]. And a crier went out before him [for] forty days, [publicly proclaiming:] Jesus the Nazarene is going out to be stoned because he practiced sorcery, incited [people to forbidden worship—Ed.], and led the Jewish people astray. Anyone who knows [of a reason to] acquit him should come [forward] and teach [it] on his behalf. And [the court] did not find [a reason to] acquit him, and [so] they [stoned him and] hung his [corpse] on Passover eve.

Ulla said: And [how can] you understand [this proof? Was] Jesus the Nazarene worthy of [conducting] a search [for a reason to] acquit [him]? He [was] an inciter, and the Merciful One states [with respect to an inciter to forbidden worship—Ed.]: Neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him (Deuteronomy 13:9). Rather, Jesus was different, as he [had] close [ties] with the government, [and the gentile authorities were interested in his acquittal. Consequently, the court gave him every opportunity to clear himself, so that it could not be claimed that he was falsely convicted.]